text: Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari is asking motorists in Hudson County and across the state to join the effort to make the roads fatality-free and instill good driving habits.
  Oct. 10, 2017, is "Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day," a national campaign to encourage motorists to obey all traffic laws, including buckling up, driving the posted speed limit, avoiding distractions while driving and being safe and sober behind the wheel.
  "My office is committed to keeping the residents of Hudson County and those who work and travel here safe," Schillari said. "My officers enforce motor vehicle violations, but the public can also help by being more vigilant in their actions" the sheriff said.
  A total of 603 people were killed in motor vehicle-related crashes last year, up from 562 in 2015. So far this year 17 people have died in crashes in Hudson County, including 16-year-old Sean Lemus of Union City on Wednesday.
  State statistics show that distracted driving fatalities have increased at an alarming rate over the past four years. In 2013 there were 58 fatalities on the state's roadways in which distracted driving was a contributing factor. That number ballooned to 115 fatalities in 2016, or 19 percent of all traffic deaths.
  In response to the problem, the state's #77 alert system is now used to report all forms of dangerous driving.
  "In addition to enforcement, we encourage the public to help us in our task and help us put the brakes on fatalities on October 10," Schillari said. "With the public's help, we can achieve this goal.
  Additional information on the national initiative can be found at www.asce.org/brakesonfatalities or you can contact the Hudson County Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety/Crash Investigation Unit at 201-915-1300 ext:7050.